Terrifying moment man 'wielding a machete' while wearing a mask and plastic gloves is pinned to the floor outside a Lidl after being accused of shoplifting (4 Pics)

A man had to be pinned to the ground after he pulled a machete when he was accused of shoplifting. 

The 42-year-old man wearing a mask and gloves had to be restrained by Lidl's staff after he was accused of shoplifting and took a machete out in New Hall Lane, Preston.    

A video of the scene posted on social media shows a bystander holding the huge knife away from the restrained man while helping to keep him on the floor by kneeling on his legs.  

Lidl staff keep the man restricted on the ground until the police arrive and arrest him after they were called at 5:50pm. 

Michael Bailey, 42, from Waverley Gardens in Preston was arrested on Friday April, 10 and charged with affray and possession of an offensive weapon, Lancashire Police confirmed. 

He was due to appear at Preston Magistrates' Court this morning.  

Izy Ahmed, posted videos of the horrifying scene on Facebook which has almost 10,000 shares and comments. 

Many people commented that it was ironic that the man was being careful about coronavirus with a mask and gloves but had a machete.  

'It's ironic that he's wearing a Covid-19 mask but carrying a machete,' said Tracey Edmondson. 

'At least he had a mask on,' said Andrew Bradley. 

Lidl staff in New Hall Lane, Preston, had to restrain a man who pulled a machete after he was accused of shoplifting

A bystander helped by taking the knife off the man and helping to keep him on the ground by kneeling on his legs until the police came

Police were called around 5:50pm and arrived to arrest the man soon after. Michael Bailey, 42, from Waverley Gardens in Preston was arrested on Friday April, 10 and charged with affray and possession of an offensive weapon, Lancashire Police confirmed